Indonesia Signs MoU with Stanford University to Develop Research Center in IKN

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian new capital city Nusantara (IKN) Authority inked an MoU with Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University, California, on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. President Joko Widodo or Jokowi was also present at the signing.

"Through this MoU, Stanford and its alumni are committed to developing a world-class research center in IKN Nusantara," said IKN Authority Head Bambang Susantono in a written statement quoted on Friday, November 17, 2023.

According to Bambang, the research will include water management, sustainable urban development, and robotics, amongst others. The results of this research will support the development of IKN as a green and sustainable smart city.

A few months prior, Stanford University submitted its Letter of Intent in Jakarta. "The more technical discussion will be conducted in follow-up meetings," Bambang said.

The signing of the partnership MoU was conducted by Bambang, Stanford's alumni Anindya Bakrie, and Arun Majumdar, the Dean of Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.

Bambang mentioned the development of this research center is targeted to proceed in January or February next year. IKN Authority, Bambang said has prepared three hectares of land inside the inner ring of IKN. It will be developed by Stanford alumni.

"Indonesian and Stanford researchers will conduct their research in [the research center]," Bambang added.

In his opening remarks, President Jokowi explained that IKN is a showcase of Indonesia's transformation. The president also invited Stanford students to visit IKN, seeing closer the process of sustainability in a green and smart city. "Collaboration and concrete strategic steps are necessary in case of climate change," he said.

So far, there have been six national universities and three universities from the Netherlands that committed to building a research center in IKN. 

IKN Spokesperson Troy Pantouw mentioned that the signing of this MoU was a good sign and a tangible transformation in IKN development. IKN, he said also meant Investment, Knowledge, and Network in addition to its actual abbreviation of the Nusantara State Capital.

Meanwhile, IKN Authority Deputy of Green and Digital Technology Ali Berawi stated that there are three priorities in IKN's transformation process, namely the hardware, software, and brainware.

"IKN is in the process of implementing all of them on a massive scale but in a strategic way and complying with a high standard," Ali concluded.

MOH KHORY ALFARIZI

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